Stephen Hunt labels pundit Eamon Dunphy a ‘skinny little rat’

Hull City and Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt made an astonishing outburst at Eamon Dunphy after the RTE pundit called the Irish performance against the Italians on Saturday at Croke Park “shameful.”

Hunt, one of the few footballers that can be counted on for candid opinion, did not mince his words when it came to responding about criticism leveled at the team from certain sections of the media.

“People in the press write columns. I know one or two of them do it and they generally don't turn up here.

'That's the truth of it but they say things for the sake of it and you think, what are they doing? What are they trying to achieve? Sell more newspapers or get more viewers? It's ridiculous.

'Where do they get their kicks from? And especially Dunphy, he should know better by now. He's a skinny rat, a skinny little rat.'

Hunt came on as a second half substitute on Saturday and took the free kick that led to Sean St. Ledger’s goal in the 87th minute before a last gasp equalizer from Italy meant the final result was a 2-2 tie.

Ireland now go into the playoffs and manager Giovanni Trapattoni is expected to name his team for the final qualifying game against Montenegro Tuesday afternoon.